Swimming

That Sinking Feeling

More than half of British children under 11 years old can’t swim the length of a typical pool, according to a new report from Britain’s Amateur Swimming Association.

The finding comes in spite of government recommendations that every child receive swim lessons as part of their educational curriculum.

What’s to blame? It depends on who you ask. Some teachers cite restrictive health and safety laws that have made it too expensive to keep school pools open. Others blame lack of public funding and a variety of challenges facing poorer families.

“The shocking figures are a wake-up call to parents, schools and the government,” the Cambridge News reported.